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Martin Toler Jr. and grandson Cole |
The world watched as the news came in the early morning hours on Wednesday that the victims of the mining accident at Tallmansville were alive-then dead.
An early report had led families to believe that all 12 miners had survived. Three hours later, they were briefed by officials of International Coal, who owned the Sago Mine, that there was a miscommunication, and that 11 of the 12 miners had perished. Randal McCloy Jr., 26, the youngest of the miners, was the sole survivor.
While many in Wyoming County watched the scene unfold on television, not everyone knew when they were watching that one of those victims was one of their own.
Fifty-one-year-old Martin "Junior" Toler of Flatwoods, was a Wyoming County native. Toler was a 1971 graduate of Oceana High School. He and his wife, Mary Lou (Russell), a 1974 OHS grad, had been living in Flatwoods for several years, after moving from their home in Cyclone. The couple still has many relatives in the area.
Perry Cook of Oceana, who is a member of the Wyoming County Board of Education, is a first cousin to Mary Lou Toler. Cook traveled last week to Upshur County to the Sago Baptist Church to show his support for Mary Lou, who he says is more like a sister than a cousin.
"We were close," Cook stated. "Growing up at Huff Creek, Mary Lou lived just across the road from me. She and Junior (Martin) started dating her sophomore year in high school and they got married at the end of her senior year in 1974. Junior was like a big brother to me. I had known him since I was 12 years old."
Cook remembers Toler as a loving father to his two children, Chris and Courtney, a loving husband, and a good Christian man. Those words were evident when CNN's Anderson Cooper reported Thursday that a farewell note had been found belonging to Toler. The note read, "Tell all I will see them on the other side. It wasn't bad. Just went to sleep. I love you." It was signed "Jr." Toler had apparently written the note to console his family after he realized that he may not come out of the mine alive.
Toler was also an avid outdoorsman. "He participated in softball from the time he was out of high school," Cook recalled. "He loved playing with all of his brothers. He played on the infamous Huff Creek softball team in the 1970's and 80's. I played on there with him."
Cook said whenever he visualizes Toler that he sees him tilting his head back and laughing. "He laughed all the time," Cook commented. "He didn't get stressed about much of anything. He always had a smile on his face, and loved to kid and joke with people. Anyone who ever had association with Junior knows he was always a breath of fresh air to be around. He will be missed."
Funeral services for Toler were held Sunday at the Stump Chapel Church in Tesla with Rev. Martin Given and Rev. Earl Elliott officiating. Burial followed in the Braxton County Cemetery on Airport Road in Sutton.
In addition to his wife, Mary Lou, Toler is survived by his, Chris Toler and his wife, Jennifer of Flatwoods; his daughter, Courtney Browning and her husband Brandon of Flatwoods; a special nephew, George Toler and his wife Crissy of Flatwoods; six grandchildren, Lindsey and Natalie Toler, Chase and Cole Browning, and Drew and Abbey Toler, all of Flatwoods; four brothers, Tom Toler and his wife, Karen of Summersville; Millard Toler and his wife, Elizabeth of Davin; David Toler and his wife, Sue of Little Birch, Dean Toler and his wife, Patti of Exchange; one sister, Ruby (Sis) Haught and her husband Tony of Cyclone; mother-in-law, Madge Cook Russell of Flatwoods; father-in-law Ralph Russell and his wife, Lois, of Matheny; sisters-in-law, Margie J. Toler of Flatwoods and Juanita Toler of Cyclone; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Donations may be made to the Stump Chapel Church, 110 Locust Estates, Sutton, WV 26601.
The family expressed their thanks to all who prayed for them, to the pastor and members of the Sago Baptist Church, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the mine rescue teams and everyone that helped during this time of sorrow.
Greene-Robertson Funeral Home of Sutton had chard of arrangements.
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